Despite what you might have heard, Mardi Gras actually is a family-friendly event. Image courtesy of Mills Baker via Flickr. 2. Carnival Veterans Go Long, Not Hard. Given that Mardi Gras is the culmination of a month-long party, any skillful local will avoid drinking the whole keg in a single night. Although the New Orleans Jazzfest doesn’t happen around the time of Mardi Gras, that’s still a state-defining event worth checking out, especially. Even this calmer event than the parades has had artists including Snoop Dogg, Tom Petty, and Stevie Wonder pay a visit to the music state. Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is an iconic celebration that welcomes nearly 1.5 million visitors each year, so it’s no surprise that planning your first visit to this world-famous holiday can be quite the daunting task. We had the joy of visiting our first Mardi Gras in 2023 and came up with a list of the top things that we think every Mardi Gras goer could benefit from knowing before Mardi Gras isn't the time to hold back and throw on jeans and a t-shirt. It might even be time to go on a shopping spree. Have fun with it. Where to stay during Mardi Gras. If it's your first Mardi Gras, you're likely going to want to be in the middle of all the action — as you should be. I’ve been to my fair share of parades, and I can honestly say it’s worth the journey. If you’re new to the large-than-life celebration that is Mardi Gras, I want to share with you my tips and tricks for a successful and enjoyable parade experience. Keep these nine things in mind, and you’ll be golden (and purple and green). Is it worth going to Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras can be the ultimate party. Travelers who aren’t into parties or crowds may want to visit New Orleans at other times of the year. This first-time New Orleans Mardi Gras guide shares everything you need to know about visiting NOLA during the carnival season, including Mardi Gras tips, best parades, partying on Bourbon Street, hotels, restaurants, bars, activities, and more. For a one-stop shop, visit King Cake Hub at Zony Mash Brewery or seek out beloved versions from local bakeries like Haydel’s, Tastee Donuts, Gambino’s, or Dong Phuong. Several restaurants also offer special Mardi Gras menus and pre-parade specials. In light of recent events, Mardi Gras 2025 will see enhanced security measures. The The season, which represents a time of celebration before Christian Lent, lasts until Fat Tuesday. Fat Tuesday, or Mardi Gras Day, is March 4, 2025. Between January 6 and March 4, enjoy parades, king cake, community celebrations, and more. For a list of future Mardi Gras Day dates, see here. Where in New Orleans can I experience Mardi Gras? Speaking of "All On a Mardi Gras Day," that’s an actual song, as performed by the Wild Magnolias – a Mardi Gras Indian tribe that doubles as a funk ensemble. There’s an entire genre of New Orleans music known as Carnival music that ranges from brass band favorites to funk to hip-hop; these playlists , put together by local music stewards I think Mardi Gras World is worth visiting, particularly if you have any interest in art or crafting and can see the artists working. I visited in December and saw folks using various techniques to make props. In short, Mardi Gras provides a once-in-a-lifetime experience and is worth visiting, even multiple times. Since Mardi Gras 2025 will last 58 days, you might be wondering when is the best time to plan your trip. If you’re visiting Disney World or staying at the Port Orleans Resorts next week, you might like to check out the parade. Here’s a quick recap: Date: March 4, 2025; Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. What: Mardi Gras Parade and Celebration; Remember: Choose a spot to watch the parade based on how long you plan to stay. If you want to see who Is it worth visiting in the off-season for a more laid-back experience, or would I be missing out on the pre-Mardi Gras excitement? Also, that king cake in the gift shop has my name written all over it. (Mardi Gras bull riding is a thing in Bandera.) Here are five Mardi Gras celebrations worth visiting, near and far, across the Lone Star State – from a first-ever pub crawl to a two-week party The date of Mardi Gras varies from year to year because it's based on the Easter lunar calendar. But the term "Mardi Gras" is also used by both locals and visitors to refer to the last 12 days of Carnival, during which there are many parades of large floats. New Orleans is always great to visit but Mardi Gras season is special! Make sure to catch the Endymion and Bacchus parades, and the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras day You can visit New Orleans year round and get a taste of Mardi Gras via the museums and festive atmosphere. You can even buy beads and feel like you just left a parade. (Local’s tips – Don’t buy beads during Mardi Gras season – you’ll get plenty at the parades. Purchasing the Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine Experience ; Mardi Gras Float Ride & Dine Experience. WHEN is the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience: Select Dates Feb. 1–Mar. 30, 2025; The time you select to eat will depend on when the Mardi Gras Parade starts that night. WHAT is the Mardi Gras Float Ride and Dine Experience: Continue reading to learn what Mardi Gras is, when the events kick off, and the top 10 DOs and DON’Ts to visiting New Orleans during this Mardi Gras season. What is Mardi Gras? Mardi Gras, translated from French to mean “Fat Tuesday,” is the culmination of multiple weeks of carnival celebrations, and not a one day extravaganza as many
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